News of the Knights of St Columba: February 2018

Centenary preparations begin

A busy year lies ahead for the Knights of St Columba as preparations begin to mark the centenary of their foundation on 5 October 1919.

Set up in Glasgow, the Order soon spread throughout the country and in Liverpool the first English branch, Council 9, was established on 7 November 1920 and it is still in existence today.

Dedicated committees have been set up to plan commemorative events locally, which will include special centenary Masses and social occasions. The final celebrations will be in Glasgow and will feature a pilgrimage to Iona where the Order's patron, St Columba, formed his community to spread Christianity across Britain and further afield. The Knights will be giving updates during the course of the year as plans come to fruition.

• Bernard Fitzsimons (pictured), a former grand knight of Council 9, marked the Silver Jubilee of his KSC membership at the branch's Christmas party where the current grand knight, David Linford, presented him with his jubilee medal and certificate.

• It is with great sadness that the Order reports the deaths of two esteemed brothers. Bro Ted Evans was laid to rest following his Requiem Mass at St Patrick's Church, Marshside, Southport on 5 January, while the Requiem Mass for Bro Ted Hughes took place at St Clare's Church, Sefton Park on 15 January. KSC members provided a guard of honour for both men.

Brother Ted first joined the Squires, then a youth section of the Order, in 1947 and became a Knight in November 1950, making him a member for 67 years. Deepest sympathy goes to both brothers' families and friends. May they rest in peace.